Windows 10: Backup BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10

How to: Backup BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10

How to Backup BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in Windows 10


A BitLocker recovery key is a special key that you can create when you turn on Bitlocker Drive Encryption for the first time on each drive that you encrypt. You can use the recovery key to gain access to your computer if the removable data drive (such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive) that is encrypted by BitLocker, if for some reason you forget the password or your computer cannot access the drive.

See also: How to Find BitLocker recovery key in Windows 10

You can back up the BitLocker recovery key for an encrypted drive by printing it, saving it to your Microsoft account, saving it to a USB flash drive, and/or saving it to a file where you like. It is recommended to store the recovery key separate from your computer, and make additional copies to be safe and have available if ever needed to recover the encrypted drive with.

If you lose the BitLocker recovery key for an encrypted drive, you will lose all your data on the drive if you get locked out of it and have to format the drive.

This tutorial will show you how to back up the recovery key of a drive encrypted by BitLocker in Windows 10.

*note If your PC is connected to a domain (usually a work or school computer), ask a system administrator for your recovery key.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Back up BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in Control Panel
• Option Two: To Back up BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in Command Prompt
• Option Three: To Back up BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in PowerShell

OPTION ONE [/i] To Back up BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in Control Panel
1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the BitLocker Drive Encryption icon.

2. Expand open the drive you want to back up your BitLocker recovery key for, and click/tap on the Back up your recovery key link. (see screenshot below)



3. Select how (Microsoft account, USB, file, and/or print) you want to back up your BitLocker recovery key for this drive. (see screenshot below)






Note Microsoft account = This option is only available when you are signed in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account. It will save the BitLocker recovery key online to your OneDrive for your Microsoft account at Microsoft services.



USB flash drive = This option will save the BitLocker recovery key .TXT file to a selected USB flash drive. You will not have this option available for removable data drives.



File = This option will save the BitLocker recovery key .TXT file to a location you select.









Print = This option will print the BitLocker recovery key to the selected printer.




4. Click/tap on Finish when you have finished backing up your recovery key. (see screenshot below)








OPTION TWO [/i] To Back up BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in Command Prompt
1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Type the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow manage-bde -protectors - get <drive letter>: > %UserProfile%\Desktop\BitLocker_Recovery_Key.txt



Note Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with the actual drive letter of the encrypted drive you want to back up your recovery key for.

For example: manage-bde -protectors - get F: > %UserProfile%\Desktop\BitLocker_Recovery_Key.txt




3. Your BitLocker recovery key for the drive will now be saved to a BitLocker_Recover_Key.txt file created on your desktop. You can move this file to where you like for safe keeping. (see screenshot below)








OPTION THREE [/i] To Back up BitLocker Recovery Key for Drive in PowerShell
1. Open an elevated PowerShell.

2. Type the command below into the elevated PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint <drive letter>).KeyProtector > $env:UserProfile\Desktop\BitLocker_Recovery_Key.txt



Note Substitute <drive letter> in the command above with the actual drive letter of the encrypted drive you want to back up your recovery key for.

For example:

(Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint F).KeyProtector > $env:UserProfile\Desktop\BitLocker_Recovery_Key.txt




3. Your BitLocker recovery key for the drive will now be saved to a BitLocker_Recover_Key.txt file created on your desktop. You can move this file to where you like for safe keeping. (see screenshot below)





That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Find BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 10
• How to Copy Startup Key of OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows
• How to Delete BitLocker Recovery Key from OneDrive for Microsoft Account in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off BitLocker for Operating System Drive in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off BitLocker for Removable Data Drives in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off BitLocker for Fixed Data Drives in Windows 10
• How to Create a BitLocker Drive Encryption Shortcut in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove 'Manage BitLocker' Context Menu from Drives in Windows
• How to Use BitLocker Repair Tool to Recover Encrypted Drive in Windows
• How to Unlock an OS Drive Encrypted by BitLocker in Windows 10
• How to Unlock a Fixed or Removable BitLocker Drive in Windows
• How to Create BitLocker Encrypted Container File with a VHD or VHDX File in Windows

:)

 

bitlocker recovery key

Hi Singh,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

In order to get clarity on this issue and assist you with appropriate troubleshooting steps, please reply with the answers to the questions below.

1. Are you not able login to your computer due to BitLocker Recovery Key?
2. Did you ever setup BitLocker Recovery Key on your computer?
3. Are you not able to login to your Microsoft Account to find the BitLocker Recovery Key?
4. Are you using Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Professional?

Meanwhile, try finding BitLocker Recovery Key if you have ever setup BitLocker Recovery Key for your computer.

Please elaborate on the issue, so that we can understand the concern and get back to us to help you further.

 

need to recovery my bitlocker key

Hello frankStilla, my name is Irisdiel and I am an independent advisor.

I suggest you follow the instructions down below and visit the URL and follow the different solutions.

If you want to make a backup of your BitLocker recovery key: Select the Start button, type BitLocker, select Manage BitLocker from the list of results, select Back up your recovery key, and follow the prompts for your preferred backup method.

Refer to:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402618...

Hope this helps!

Thank you and good luck,

Regards- .

 

BitLocker Key

There may be a software that triggered the BitLocker in your Windows 10 PC. To assist you better, we suggest that you check these articles for further information:

• Find my BitLocker recovery key.
• BitLocker recovery keys: Frequently asked questions.

• BitLocker

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

bitlocker recovery key

Hi Shafeeq,

Please find my answers to your questions below:

1. Are you not able login to your computer due to BitLocker Recovery Key? - Yes, I am unable to even start my laptop unless I enter the recovery key.
2. Did you ever setup BitLocker Recovery Key on your computer? Nope
3. Are you not able to login to your Microsoft Account to find the BitLocker Recovery Key? Yes. I have a microsoft account and am able to login usually. But i am unable to login when I try to find the bitlocker recovery key.
4. Are you using Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Professional? Windows 10 Home

When I on my laptop, there is a blue screen that asks me for bitlocker recovery key. I have tried asking my laptop company (Lenovo) and my institution both but no one has any answer to this. I have my bitlocker recovery ID number if that can help me find
the recovery key.

Waiting eagerly for a response.

Thanks, and regards,

Shweta

 

Bitlocker Recovery Key

Hi Erica,

There are certain steps that you can do to recover your BitLocker recovery key. Kindly follow the steps provided on this

link and see if it resolves your concern. The article pertains to Windows 8.1 but it's also applicable to Windows 10.

Get back to us if you need further assistance.